Racehorse conditioning: 5 tips for peak performance
Like human athletes, horses need to be tip-top to compete successfully. Audiences don’t enjoy watching weak horses run—much more betting on them. Hence, as a horse owner, you must ensure that your horse is in peak condition every time they step on the track.
But horses can’t always compete no matter how much you want them to. Experts even recommend that a racehorse take around two-to-four-week breaks in-between races. Some horses, like those who’ve become injured or sick, may need a longer time to rest and recover. During and after this time, you must condition your horse gradually for them to run another race in the future.
To help you care for your racehorse correctly, read these tips as your guide before the next race:
- Provide Proper Feed
Champion racehorses feed on good-quality forage for weight promotion and gut health. Your horse can fare well with grazing, but forage doesn’t always meet the required nutrients it needs. Thus, you must also provide your horse feed rich in vitamins and minerals for optimum wellness.
Horses need a diet rich in fibre, fats, oils and protein. Without them, your horse risks issues like dehydration, weight loss and digestive problems that could tamper with its ability to race. Hay or chaff is the best source of fibre, and you may also introduce aloe vera juice to treat ulcers. However, if you intend to change your horse’s usual diet to something healthier, do this gradually not to upset their stomach.
Black sunflower seeds, vegetable oil, and cracked corn are excellent feed examples for a racehorse just starting training. They’re also rich in the nutrients thoroughbreds need to power through the racetracks.
Take note not to overfeed your horse, too. Two kilograms of hard feed is enough for a horse’s tiny stomach. When in doubt, consult a vet for advice on feeding portions suitable for your horse’s age and training period.
- Start With Slow-Speed Conditioning
Endurance training is essential for a horse to return to the track after a break. The training is also imperative for young thoroughbreds to race once older.
You can condition your horse gradually by having it perform low-impact exercises like walking and hill work. Let it trot or canter at a slow pace before increasing speed. This exercise is for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) aerobic production for your horse to create energy. Make sure you practice this frequently, preferably four times a week. You can increase the frequency to five or six times a week once your horse is fit enough.
After slow-speed conditioning at a short distance, you may begin making your horse walk farther at a two to three-week interval. The program duration depends on the event you want your horse to join. What’s important is that you notice significant improvement. Your racehorse should have better muscle strength and aerobic endurance after conditioning.
- Move On To High-Speed Conditioning
This program is intended to promote the anaerobic production of ATP. Methods vary from horse to horse and depend on the event one participates in.
There are various ways in which owners and trainers apply high-speed conditioning to their horses. Some, like those from North America, let their horses do breeze work or gallop quickly in shorter distances for only 70 to 85% of the maximum event speed. They do this once every seven to ten days, while others may gallop near the maximum speed once every five days. Meanwhile, they condition their horses by rotating hills and flat groundwork in England.
Even if the weather doesn’t agree, you can still condition your racehorse indoors using a treadmill. It’s also a safe and effective way to have a sound horse despite rain or snow. You can avoid wrong steps from uneven surfaces, adjust the speed and intensity and easily observe your horse while it’s galloping.
- Apply Interval Training
When the racing season is around the corner, many horse trainers subject their horses to interval training. In this program, horses perform multiple daily exercises and rest for short periods.
Healthier and stronger horses can attempt five-minute short bursts of canter and then rest by walking for three minutes. Your horse can perform this exercise twice daily and then finish it there. You can adjust to slow canters in three-to-four-minute intervals if you have a slightly weaker horse. Afterwards, let it walk for two-to-three minutes.
Remember that in this program, speed isn’t the focus. Instead, build your horse’s fitness first and maintain a good rhythm. Then, you may overtrain your horse when you let it gallop at 90 to 100% maximum speed.
- Monitor And Adjust Accordingly
Some horses appear energetic, making it seem like they can take on anything. But be wary when you observe this from your horse. Don’t push it too hard, or it may be more prone to injury before or during the race.
Be careful not to overtrain while conditioning a racehorse. But if you find yourself doing so, pause the program or reduce the training until your horse is fully recovered. You’ll know if you’re overtraining your horse if it shows signs of back pain, inflammation or limb pain.
Adjust the conditioning program to ensure your horse is in peak performance by the time the race begins. There’s a high possibility of experienced horse bettors spotting horses that are not in the best shape. Most of them evaluate a horse’s performance before a race. And if yours doesn’t reach their standards, your horse is less likely to receive many bets.
Conclusion
No matter your horse’s breed, you can train and condition it to become a champion racehorse at the same level as the thoroughbreds. Remember to track your horse’s progress during the programs to ensure it receives the proper training appropriate for its strength.